Study of radon concentration and toxic elements in drinking and irrigated water and its implications in Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia

AbstractThe radon activity concentration and toxic elements have been assessed in drinking and irrigated water samples collected from different locations of Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia. The water samples were collected from wells, streams and taps. A calibrated alpha spectrometer RAD-7 (Model 2890) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometers (Perkin–Elmer, Model AAnalyst 200, Shimadzu, Model AA-700) were used to estimate radon activity concentration and toxic elements, respectively. Maximum average value of radon concentration among the various types of water sources was found 14.7 ± 1.44 Bq/l in well water used for drinking and irrigation and minimum was found 5.37 ± 0.58 Bq/l in tap water used for drinking. Contribution of radon in drinking water to indoor air and age dependent associated annual effective doses were calculated from the measured radon concentration and were found less than lower limit of recommended action level. The activity concentrations of Ni > Pb > Cd > As > Cr were found higher for streams water as compared to wells and tap water. Values of radon concentration in well water were found higher than EPA recommended level and lower than WHO action level while the annual effective doses and level of toxic elements in water reported in this study were found lower than recommended level

Effects of organic substrates on growth and yield of ginger cultivated using soilless culture

The effects of organic soilless substrates on growth and yield of ginger were studied. In soilless production system, many types of growing media or substrates such as rockwool, perlite, vermiculite and peat have been used to grow many kinds of crops. Alternative substrates that are cheaper and locally available such as coconut fibres and burnt paddy husks should be used as alternative media. The main objective of the study was to determine the most suitable organic growth substrate for cultivation of ginger using fertigation technique. The study was conducted under the side-netted rain shelter equipped with an irrigation system to supply fertiliser solution at a regulated time schedule. Five combinations of growth substrates were evaluated: 100% coir dust; 100% burnt paddy husks; 70% coir dust + 30% burnt paddy husks; 30% coir dust + 70% burnt paddy husks; and 50% coir dust + 50% burnt paddy husks. The ginger plants were selected randomly and the rhizomes were harvested 3 – 9 months after sowing. Plants grown in 100% coir dust gave the best growth performance and yield compared to the other treatments. They produced the highest shoot height (123 ± 23 cm), shoot fresh weight (1,340 ± 235 g) and rhizome yield (5,480 ± 325 g per plant). The lowest rhizome yield (2,570 ± 135 g) was obtained from plants planted in 30% coir dust + 70% burnt paddy husks. Hence, it can be concluded that the ginger plants cultivated in 100% coir dust substrate using fertigation technique gave the best plant growth and yields

Indoor Radon Concentration Measurement in Selected Factories in Northern and Central Iraq

In this work, the outdoor radon concentration level and lung cancer risks have been measured in selected locations in northern and central Iraq during the summer season 2012 by using time integrated passive radon dosimeters containing LR-115 Type II plastic track detectors. These measurements were carried out in the factories for an exposure time of 60 day. The radon concentration in these factories ranges from (36.36 – 125.10) Bq.m-3 with an average of (59.93Bq.m-3), which within the acceptable radon levels (50-150) Bq.m-3 recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The average absorption effective dose equivalent for a person living in factories for which the investigation were done was found to be (1.425mSv.y-1). It is observed that the average lung cancer per year per 106 person was found to be 25.654. Keyword: LR-115 Type II nuclear track detectors; Radon concentration; AEDE; PAEC

Malaysian professionals' beliefs in child sexual abuse disclosure

This study explores factors that influence professionals' belief on child victim's disclosure of sexual abuse. This study was conducted on 18 professionals who worked with child sexual abuse (CSA) cases included counsellors, medical social workers, social workers and police officers. Findings indicate that factors such as victim's age, trauma symptoms, delay disclosures, signs of abuse and corroborate information from others (e.g. family members, schoolmates, friends, teachers) were all influenced professionals beliefs on victim's disclosure. The results also indicate the presence of CSA myths were evident among professionals. This suggests the importance of disseminating accurate information. As such, incorrect beliefs may influence professionals' perceptions and responses to victims' disclosure

Psychological outcomes of family caregivers of mental illness patients

Previous research shows considerable variability in the impact of caring on family caregivers of mental illness but the multidimensional experience of caring remains unexplained. The study aimed to identify family experiences of caring in a developing country. There were 154 family caregivers recruited for the survey. In addition, twenty-four respondents participated in semi-structured interviews about their personal caring experiences. This study found that majority of caregivers was women and aged less than 60 years. More than half of the participants were found to be psychologically distressed. Consistent with the stress-coping model, only caregivers' negative appraisal was a strong predictor of psychological distress and accounted for a substantial proportion of its variance. Positive appraisal, ethnicity and residential area did not predict psychological distress. Interview findings related to the coping styles and social supports of the family caregivers. The implications for mental health services are that many of the caregivers need help in their own right. Not only the person with mental illness who should be targeted for evaluation but the differences in caregivers' appraisal on their caring role taken into consideration

Psychosocial reactions of injecting drug users'(IDU) towards needle syringe exchange program in Malaysia

Needle and Syringe Exchange Program (NSEP) had been a hot topic since it was introduced in Malaysia, especially looking at it in the context of an Islamic country. This qualitative research was exploratory oriented. It investigated the Injecting Drug Users' (IDU) psychosocial reaction towards NSEP. In-depth interviews using semi-structured questions were conducted on 13 injecting drug users at One Stop Centre IKHLAS, Kuala Lumpur. Generally, the respondents had positive views on NSEP. They perceived NSEP as a social agent which (1) promoted the usage of sterilized needles, (2) changed their way of access to sterilized needles, (3) saved IDUs expenses and (4) made innovative effort in reducing HIV/AIDS infection in Malaysia. In order to make NSEP a success in changing IDUs behavior and reduced the spread of HIV/AIDS, this program had to be sustained and its services had to be upgraded in attracting more IDUs to join the program

UV-Vis spectral evaluation of CR-39 detector exposed with diagnostic dosage

The effects of the X-ray irradiation and chemical etching on the physical and optical properties of CR-39 plastic detectors were investigated for different doses of X-ray. CR-39 detectors were etched in the solution of the 3 M of NaOH after irradiation for revelations of the track. The tracks formed on CR-39 either by irradiated X-ray or due to the effect of environment. The changes in the thickness after exposed have significant decrease in 60 kVp and started to increase in range of 70 kVp up to 100 kVp due to the formation of oxidation layer on surface by free radicals. The optical band gaps before etching and after etching were determined by using Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The optical band gap is attributed to the indirect transition due to its amorphous nature which is significantly decline trend energy in increase of the energy fluence of radiation. The Urbach’s energy, is defined as the width of the tail localized states in the forbidden band gap which change increment trend as increase in dose delivered due to the distortion structure of the CR-39 in terms of the electron charges in valences electron hence attributes to the induced modification of angle bond between the neighboring atoms

Characterization of the rhizophora particleboard as a tissue-equivalent phantom material bonded with bio–based adhesive

In this study, some characteristics of Rhizophora spp. particleboards bonded with Serishoom (traditional animal–based adhesive) as a phantom material was investigated. The Rhizophora spp. particleboards were fabricated in two Serishoom adhesive treatment levels (6% and 12%) with three Rhizophora spp. particle sizes (≤ 149 µm, 149 µm – 500 µm, and 500 µm – 1000 µm) at 1 g.cm-3 of the target density. The internal bond strength and the dimensional stability of the Serishoom-bonded Rhizophora spp. particleboards were improved by using the smaller Rhizophora spp. particle size and the higher Serishoom adhesive treatment level. The effective atomic numbers of the Serishoom-bonded Rhizophora spp. particleboards were determineted to be 7,56 to 7,58 by an energy dispersive X-ray, which is in good agreement with those of water and breast tissue. In addition, the density distribution profiles of the fabricated Serishoom-bonded Rhizophora spp. particleboards were determined by the Kriging method with the use Surfer8 computer software, which indicated that there was good density homogeneity throughout the Serishoom-bonded Rhizophora spp. particleboards. The results showed a potential of the Serishoom-bonded Rhizophora spp. particleboard bonded with Serishoom to be used as a phantom material

Route Planning Analysis In Holes Drilling Process Using Magnetic Optimization Algorithm For Electronic Manufacturing Sector

Electronic manufacturing sector uses computer numerical controlled machines for drilling holes. Most of the computer numerical controlled machines used nearest neighbour algorithm to plan the route for the drill bit to travel. Based on this motivation, this paper proposes an approach which is based on the experimentation of Magnetic Optimization Algorithm. In this implementation, each magnetic agent or particle in Magnetic Optimization Algorithm represents a candidate solution of the problem. The magnitude of the magnetic force between these particles is inversely proportional to the distance calculated by the solution they represented. Particles with greater magnetic force will attract other particles with relatively smaller magnetic force, towards it. The process is repeated until the stopping condition meets and the solution with lowest distance is taken as the best-found solution. Result obtained from the case study shows that the proposed approach managed to find the optimal solution. With this method, electronics manufacturing sector can optimize the drilling process hence will increase the productivity of the manufacturer. This study can be extended further by tuning the parameters of MOA in order to enhance the drilling route process

An overview on measurements of natural radioactivity in Malaysia

Humans are always exposed during their lives to ionizing radiation arising outside and within the earth. The exposure to these radiation occurs from natural sources such as radioactive elements in rocks and soil, internal exposure form radioactive elements through water, food and air and cosmic rays entering from outer space to earth's atmosphere. About 87% of the radiation dose received by human beings is due to natural radiation, it is essential to assess the radiation doses in order to control possible health effects from such natural sources. In this regard, a number of articles have been appeared for Malaysia in international research journals, which have been reviewed and complied in this article. Most of these articles are about the measurement of activity concentrations of primordial (238U, 232Th, 226Ra and 40K) and anthropogenic (137Cs) radionuclide's and gamma dose rate in environmental samples using HPGe and NaI (Tl) survey meter